Nadaness In Motion is the book blog owned by Nada Adel Sobhi and it is where honest book reviews meet author interviews, guest posts, and personal writing ranging from poetry to short stories alongside the Takhayyal/Imagine writing prompt challenge. ---
“You cannot kill a breeze, a wind, a fragrance; you cannot kill a dream or an ambition.” - Michel Onfray

Friday, July 31, 2015

When the snarky Glory St. Pierre discovers the gold mechanical vase in her deceased grandmother’s basement, she has no idea that she has uncovered a priceless treasure: a genie lamp. With a real genie inside. A very sexy genie with a not-so-sexy grudge against the entire human race.

Irving Amir hates being called a genie. He’s a Djinn, and he is none too happy to be in the service of Glory, who is as intolerable, and beautiful, as humans come. Now he owes her his gratitude for freeing him and three wishes. Damn his luck.

But an arrow through the shoulder alerts Irving to the fact that he is being hunted, and after a truce dinner with Glory ends with them both almost being killed, hating each other goes right out the window. As feelings change and love starts to develop, they must dig through the secrets and lies to find the truth…a truth neither of them will ever see coming.

This book is not suitable for ages 18 and under.

Review:

Wish for Me by A. Star is the first instalment in The Djinn Order series. It is an action-packed steampunk, adult, fantasy and romance novel.

The novel is narrated in the first person by Glory St. Pierre, who seems rebellious but is plain obnoxious. Glory stumbles on a strange looking vase which turns out is more of a genie or Djinn lamp. The contraption, nothing like the lamp Aladdin finds, houses the Djinn Irving Amir, who gives Glory the chance to make three wishes. The two characters start out their relationship on a sarcastic note but an arrow to Irving's shoulder quickly changes their relationship.

Although there is significant character development for Glory, the protagonist and narrator, I did not like her; I liked her sometimes but those instances were few. The first few chapters put me off the two characters but bit by bit I began to like Irving Amir and respect him.

Apart from the sweet-talk and "uber-sexy abs" and away from the early dislike of humans, Irving is overall an experienced, wise and loveable character, as opposed to Glory.

"Humans are shallow creatures with shallow desires and they only ever wish for shallow things. Fame, infinite wealth, love from the one who would not love them otherwise… the story is always the same." This Irving's view of human in chapter one, but as the novel progresses, his view begins to change and begins to fall for Glory and she for him, although at first she is more attracted to him sexually than anything else.

The sarcasm coming from both characters offers a bit of comic relief every now and then to ease the tension, which is a lot in the novel.

After Irving gets a poisoned arrow to his shoulder and Glory accidentally wishes for magic, things change drastically. Both become hunted by more than one side.

The ending of Wish for Me was much stronger than I anticipated. Not only that, many of the hunter-prey roles become reversed as Irving and Glory must team up with enemies to fight other enemies.

A. Star uses several Arabic words and names, which I thought was cute considering Arabic is my mother tongue.

I enjoyed the contraptions created by Irving. He likes to tinker and create. In his realm, everything is mechanical – the steampunk element – and I enjoyed the description of many of his creations, especially Nagi.

One of the things that bothered me while reading, however, was the author's constant and repetitive use of "questioned". I mean there are options like "asked" and "said", and certainly others, but the excessive use of "questioned" irritated me beyond measure – it was worth a star or half a star in my rating.

Also, there were several major shifts, from tit-for-tat arguments to romance in a jiffy. I didn't like that and felt it disrupted the flow of the novel. It also felt awkward in places.

The adult content in Wish for Me is mainly because of the language and a couple of love scenes, which I didn't see as romantic or at least not what I was expecting with the author's bio (below). Still it is unsuitable for ages 18 and under.

I did enjoy the action in the novel and felt like I was in a movie.

A. Star uses several interesting and creative images such as "Irving still treated me like a pimple he was itching to pop."

Several revelations come at the end of the novel, paving the way of the second instalment in the series, which I would like to read if I get the chance.

Overall rating: 3.5 stars

Note: I received a free copy of Wish for Me via Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review as part of this blog tour.

A. Star is a fan of dirty passion. She loves to read it, and she damn sure loves to write it. She is the author of the Mythos: Gods & Lovers series, the Djinn Order series, and the Knights of the Joust series. She is a night-owl and a coffee junkie, and the only sneaker she would be caught dead wearing Converses.

Friday, July 24, 2015

A Charming Fatalityis the seventh instalment in The Magical Cures Mysteries by Tonya Kappes. Spiritualist-witch June Heal, who owns a small cures shop in Whispering Falls, is on her way to see one of her products sold outside her village, which is depending on her sales to boost its own economy. Whispering Falls is village of witches, each owns a shop that caters to their powers and abilities.

June, owner of A Charming Cure, senses her customers' troubles and designs the perfect lotion, cream or potion for them. Tiffany, a customer who came in during Christmas, sees June's stress-free lotion as the saviour to her business, Heat To Toe Works. However, problems arise on June's first day and soon after, Tiffany's husband and co-owner of the business is discovered dead on June's product belt at the factory.

Although the book is the seventh in the series, each can be read as a standalone. In the opening scene, I felt I was bombarded with the characters from Whispering Falls and their shops, which I thought could come in later because I would never remember who was in charge of what.

There are several plot lines in the story. There is the murder-mystery, June's upcoming marriage to Oscar, which doesn't seem to be going as smoothly as it should, and a break-in and theft in June's shop.

June, along with her cat or fairy god-cat Mr. Prince Charming, stick their noses in the murder mystery to find out who is bent on stopping June's project and dream. Meanwhile, June's and Oscar's aunts are working hard to get a date set for the wedding, thus, pressuring June.

At one point, we discover that the marriage is an arranged one, giving June doubts. Both her parents are gone, so she starts to suspect if she's been tricked into falling in love with Oscar.

A Charming Fatality is a fast-paced cozy magical-mystery novella. It's my first mystery in the paranormal genre.

There were parts, especially regarding June and Oscar's relationship that I didn't feel much, or felt they could be improved but the overall mystery, clues and resolution are absolutely five stars.

Kappes skillfully leads her readers across a wide range of suspects, only to unfoil something – or someone – else entirely at the end and that was a well-done job for me.

The novel is narrated in the first person from June's perspective and we get her emotions, worries and hopes. It is clear she is caring and the whole Head To Toe Works move is stressful for her, not only because she wants to help people, but because she feels that she needs to help her village's economy; it is the first time anyone from Whispering Falls receives an offer to go out into the mortal world.

In terms of comic relief, A Charming Fatality is generally light. There was a scene with two sisters and an ostrich that was really funny but totally out of place in terms of tension-and-relief.

Overall, A Charming Fatality was a quick, different and enjoyable read. Although not everything clicked with me, I truly enjoyed how Kappes unfoiled the mystery and ended the story and that's the most important aspect of a mystery; a good-crafted one.

Note: I received a free copy of A Charming Fatality in exchange for an honest review via a blog tour with Lori's Great Escapes Book Tours.

About the Author:

Tonya has written over 15 novels and 4 novellas, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists including USA Today. Best known for stories charged with emotion and humor, and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews. She lives with her husband, three teenage boys, two very spoiled schnauzers and one ex-stray cats in northern Kentucky and grew up in Nicholasville. Now that her boys are teenagers, Tonya writes full time but can be found at all of her guys high school games with a pencil and paper in hand.

Become a member of Tonya's STREET TEAM! It's a gathering place of readers who love Tonya Kappes novels and Tonya gives away prizes! To sign up for Tonya's STREET TEAM, newsletter, view book trailer, and upcoming news, check out Tonya's website.

Arabic
for Imagine, Takhayyal is a means to get inspired and spark our writing once
more.

This week, Takhayyal is
featuring a painting by artist Ruth Geldard.

About Ruth:

A
professional artist for many years, Ruth Geldard has exhibited her paintings in
London and the South East at: The Royal Academy, The Royal Watercolour Society,
The New English Art Club and many others. She has demonstrated and made painting
videos for the paint company, Daler-Rowney and appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Home
Truths, painting an on-air portrait of actor Timothy Small’s mother.

She
has also written numerous magazine feature-articles and book contributions,
about her painting life, for publishers that include; Dorling Kindersly,
Collins, Medici Fine Art Publishing, Watson and Guptil.

Her
first short story, "An Uncertain State" was shortlisted for the Fish
International Short Story Prize. Her first published story, The Parrot Dress,
was included in an anthology by Labello Press. The Parrot Dress was also
awarded the Sapphire Award for Excellence in Contemporary Narrative and is
currently under consideration for a Pushcart Prize.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Author Prisca Martin is releasing Undeniable Love: Novella Three of The London American Brides Novella Trilogy.

She also is releasing The London American Brides Novella Trilogy: The Complete
Seriesfor those who have not
read the first two books of her series. You can now read all three books in one
E-Book and/or Paperback.

Lady Grace Wesley and Lord
Brian Martin, the Duke of Holbrook were raised from birth with the belief they
would become betrothed and one day wed. Tragedy strikes and it changes
everything between them. They find their lives turned upside down and neither
know what the future will hold.

Lord Holbrook believes leaving
Lady Grace to be without him is the best for her. Lady Grace is faced with the
reality Lord Holbrook may never come back for her. Will they forget the love
they once knew or will they find a way back to one another?

He loved her with all his
heart. She Loved him since childhood. Tragedy strikes and he leaves her out of
fear. She suffers from losing him. Will he find his way back to her? Will she
be there waiting for him?

Book II Synopsis:

Greed, Betrayal and Deceit are
what Lady Amy Lindsey and Captain Gabriel Montey know very well. It is those
feelings which led them both out to sea. They both flee from London after
experiencing the greed, betrayal and deceit at the hands of their fathers.

Emotions rise during their
time together. Attempts at ignoring their emotions only lead to stronger
emotions. An unknown love lies between them. Will they deny their feelings or
face the unknown?

This is the second book
in The London American Brides Novella Trilogy. It can be read as a
standalone novella or after you have read Unforgotten Love: Novella One.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Muse Alexandra has had it with the arrogant, ungrateful humans she is obligated to inspire. When the internal ranting of her latest charge pushes her past reason, she disregards the rules and forces her own words through his fingers, and is instantly entrapped in mortal form. With no magic, no identity, and no resources, Allie has no alternative but to navigate the mortal realm, depending entirely on her reluctant host while discerning what exactly caused her transformation — and how to reverse it.

Brett doesn’t have a chance to consider the words that mysteriously showed up on his screen; he’s too distracted by the stunning woman who appeared in his office out of nowhere. Before his brain can catch up, Brett’s uninvited guest becomes enmeshed in his everyday life. Her artless innocence gradually lessens his suspicions. Most importantly, the writer’s block that’s been plaguing him dissolves under the fantasies the naively beguiling Alexandra inspires.All too soon, the forced proximity sparks a confounding awareness neither writer nor muse are able to resist.

Don't forget the reveal-wide giveaway!

About Aria Glazki

Aria’s writing story started when her seventh-grade English teacher encouraged her to submit a class assignment for publication. That piece was printed, and let’s just say, she was hooked!Since then, Aria has run a literary magazine, earned her degree in Creative Writing (as well as in French and Russian literatures), and been published in a few collections. Though her first kiss technically came from a bear cub, and no fairytale transformation followed, Aria still believes magic can happen when the right people come together – if they don’t get in their own way, that is.Other than all things literary, Aria loves spending time with her family, including her two unbearably adorable nieces. She also dabbles in painting, dancing, playing violin, and, given the opportunity, Epicureanism.

Read about Dancing Princesses
getting their groove on in a disco club, a seriously sexy Rumpelstiltskin, and
one alluring Puss-in-Boots, plus many, many more captivating characters in
these fourteen all new short-stories.